Dental Issues That Originate At Birth And Some Of The Cosmetic Dental Applications That Correct Them
Posted on: 12 November 2018
Some people develop dental problems because of poor oral hygiene. However, many people are born with imperfect teeth. Here are several dental issues that may originate at birth and some of the cosmetic dental applications that may correct them.
Discoloration
Some people are born with a congenital defect that causes their teeth to be permanently discolored. The dark tooth color cannot be whitened chemically, so dental bleaching products are ineffective at correcting the problem. However, dental veneers and dental crowns can be used to make the teeth appear white.
The veneers are micro-thin sheaths of tooth-shaped resin or porcelain that are affixed to the front of the teeth. Since the veneers can be fashioned in the desired shade of white, they can conceal discoloration.
The application of veneers is considered permanent since a small amount of tooth material must be removed from each tooth before a veneer is placed. However, if a problem does develop with a veneer, the device can be replaced.
Like veneers, dental crowns cover the discoloration. However, a crown surrounds the tooth, improving its color on all sides. Tooth-colored crown materials include porcelain, porcelain-over-metal, and resin.
Misalignments
Some people suffer from dental misalignments because of the natural placement of their teeth. Orthodontic devices, such as braces, can be used to move the teeth into their desired configuration.
The braces include brackets, an archwire, and elastic ligatures. The brackets are bonded to the teeth, and the archwire is connected to the brackets using the elastic bands. As the archwire is periodically tightened, the alignment force is transferred to the braces to re-position the teeth.
As an alternative to traditional braces, a cosmetic dentist may recommend clear plastic aligners or lingual braces. The plastic aligners are placed over the teeth like specialized retainers to coax the teeth into alignment. During the treatment, several sets of aligners are used. Each set is worn for a few weeks and then replaced with the following set in the prescribed treatment plan.
With lingual braces, the brackets are placed on the side of the teeth that is adjacent to the lingual organ or tongue. Although the placement of the braces differs from that of traditional braces, the lingual braces still include an archwire and elastic bands in addition to the brackets.
Clear plastic aligners and lingual braces both offer discreet orthodontic corrections.
If you were born with a dental issue that affects the look of your smile, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist, such as Parklane Dental, to have it corrected.
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